Rocker-operated switch



March 14, 1961 s. A. wooDwARD ROCKER-OPERATED SWITCH Filed Dec. 1, 1959 2 vsheets-sheen 1 March 14, 1961 s. A. wooDwARD RocKER-OPERATED SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1, 1959 iJited States atent 2 ,97 5 ,245 ROCKER-OPERATED SWITCH Stewart A. Woodward, Stratford, Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 856,565 6 Claims. (Cl. 200-5) This invention relates to an improved rocker-operated electric switch and particularly to a multiple pushbutton type switch having one yor more rockers for operating some of the pushrods thereof.

Pushbutton type switches have found widespread application as appliance switches for electric ranges, washing machines, and room vair conditioners, etc. ln certain of these applications, it is desirable to have a means for operating such a switch by the limited rotation of an actuating member, such as a rocker, rather than by the depression of a pushrod. ln such applications, it has been found additionally advantageous to decrease the total number of actuating members necesary for controlling the switch. This, of course, helps to reduce the cost of such a switch to the consumer.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a rocker-operated electrical switch with a novel low-cost means for obtaining rocker actuation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved electric switch which includes a multiple pushbutton type switch `and one or more rockers for actuating certain `adjacent pairs of pushrods thereof.

ln carrying out my invention, in one form thereof, I apply it to a multiple pushbutton type switch with movable sliders. Each slider has a series of inclined working surfaces that are acted upon by pushrods, and cam surfaces for engaging movable con-tact supporting arms of the switch. These sliders serve to provide an interlocking mechanism for the switch by preventing simultaneous operation of any other pushrods when one pushrod is depressed, and returning any previously depressed `pushrod hack to its outermost position upon the subsequent depression of another of the pushrods. A depressedpushrod thus coacts with associated inclined surfaces of one or more of certain sliders to move these sliders longitudinally. As certain of the sliders move, the cam surfac-es thereof act upon certain predetermined movable contacts of the switch to move them toward or naway from their associated fixed contacts and thus either open or close circuits to the switch. By my invention, a lateral extension is formed on the outer end of each pushrod of at least one pair of adjacent pushrods of the push-button switch. The extensions of this pair of pushrods extend in opposite directions and are coplanar when each pushrod of the pair is in its outermost position. A rocker is pivctally mounted above the pushrod extensions. This rocker includes a pair of switch operating arms which overlie the pushrod extensions and selectively depress one or the other of the pushrods of each pair upon the limited rotary movement of the rocker. A means is also provided for controlling the rotary movement of each rocker by the cooperation of a detent spring with notches formed on the rocker.

Further aspects of my invention will become apparent hereinafter, and the specication concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which I regard as my invention. The invenice f? 1: tion, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a plan view partially broken away of an improved rocker-operated electric switch embodying my invention, with the switch mounted in a supporting panel;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch of Fig. l with the supporting panel removed, and also with the view partially broken away to show the multiple pushbutton type switch `and pushrod extensions;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View showing a rocker and detent spring of the switch, along with a portion of the shaft land mounting bracket adjacent thereto;

Fig. 6 is an end elevational View partially broken away of a portion of a rocker-operated switch embodying my invention in alternate form thereof; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the rocker of Fig. 6 along with -fa portion of the mounting means therefor.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. l-3, there is shown a rocker-operated switch 1 with which my invention has been advantageously employed. Multiple pushbutton type switch 3 forms a part of switch 1, and, as seen in Fig. 3, it includes six pushrods 5 which are disposed in side-by-side parallel relationship and extend outwardly through appropriate apertures formed in top wall 7 of casing 9. Each of these pushrods S has a cylindrically curved actuating portion 11 formed at its innermost end, to cooperate with various inclined upper working surfaces 13 formed in actuating recesses 14 of sliders 15. (See Fig. 3.) Sliders 15 cooperate with portions 11 of pushrods 5 to provide a switch interlocking mechanism, and they are disposed in parallel relationship in the well-known manner to reciprocate longitudinally and actuate movable contact supporting arms 17. More particularly, the lower edge of each slider, as shown in Fig. 3, has one or more cam surfaces 19 formed thereon for selectively engaging certain movable contact supporting arms 17. Longitudinal movement of each slider effects the opening and closing of predetermined contacts in certain operating positions of the slider. The inclined working surfaces 13 of the sliders are so arranged on the different sliders that only one pushrod may be fully depressed at any one time. More specifically, to achieve switch interlocking, each pushrod actuating portion 11 extends into a group of generally aligned actuating recesses 14 of the sliders. For pushrod return operation, one or more inclined surfaces 13 of certain slider recesses move longitudinally to engage portieri 11 of a depressed pushrod and return it to its outermost position upon the subsequent depression of another pushrod. As is thus well-known in the art, the depression of one of the pushrods 5 returns any previously depressed pushrod to its outermost position, and causes the longitudinal movement of one or more of sliders 15 for actuating one or more pairs of contacts of the switch by engagement of cam surfaces 19 of the sliders with movable contact supporting arms 17.

According to my invention, the switch 1 is actuated by a plurality of identical rockers 31, and in order to transmit the motion of these rockers to the pushrods 5, the outer end 21 of each pushrod has a lateral extension 23 which is staked thereto. These extensions 23 are alternately disposed laterally in opposite directions from the pushrods to which they are attached (as viewed iu Fig. 2) and it will also be noted that pairs of the eX.-

aardolie tensions extend slightly toward each other longitudinally, the purpose of which shall hereinafter become readily apparent. K

To support the rockers 31 there is provided a U- shaped mounting bracket 25. The bracket 25 is securely attached to upper wall 7 of the. pushbutton switch casing 9 by means of screws 27, and, as shown, it overlies the various pushrods. The mounting screws 27 in addition to attaching the bracket also hold the back plate 30 of the switch in place. the screws extending inwardly and being threaded into retainers 29 to accomplish that result.

To provide my switch operating means, rockers 31 are pivotally mounted within bracket 25. These rockers are further individually identified in my switch by reference numerals 31a, 31b and 31C, and each one of them is arranged to control alternately two adjacent pushrods, as shall hereinafter be described in detail. For pivotally supporting each rocker, a shaft 3.3 is extended through the opposite sides or legs 35 of bracket 25. This shaft is also supported by bearing apertures formed in downwardly extending vertical flanges 37 of bracket 25. (Sec Fig. 3.) Flanges 37 are formed so that the bearing or journal portion 41 of each rocker ts snugly between them, thus preventing any undue longitudinal rocker movement. Shaft 33 overlies pushrods 5 between their outer ends 21 and hase 39 of the bracket, and it extends through a cylindrical bearing opening formed in the bearing portion 41 of each rocker 31.

Each rocker 31, as best seen in Fig. 5, includes a switch actuating or knob portion 43, and a pair of axially spaced operating arms 45. The actuating portions or knobs 43 extend radially outwardly from hearing journals 41 through apertures 46 which are appropriately formed in base 39 of the bracket. The arms 45 of each rocket' also extend outwardly from its journal 41, depending slightly from the horizontal when each rocker is in its neutral position (as shown by dotted arm positions 45a and 45h in Fig. 4) so that each arm overlies an extension 23 of a pushrod and is equidistant therefrom.

So that the single knob portion 43 of each rocker may expeditiously control a pair of pushrods while requiring a minimal amount of switch space, arms 45 are axially spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 3. Lateral extensions 23 of each adjacent pair of pushrods extend longitudinally toward each other slightly to further reduce the width of the rocker required to actuate each pair of pushrods. Each rocker 31 is thus positioned between a pair of adjacent pushrods in such a manner that its axially spaced and downwardly extending arms 45 overlie a pair of lateral extensions 23 which face in opposite directions. In this manner, each rocker 31 may be selectively rotated so that its arms 45 alternately depress their associated pushrods by means of engagement with lateral extensions 23 thereof.

Fig. 4 shows the operation of one of the rockers, 31C, of my switch. In this figure left arm 45 is in its downward actuating position, as shown in full. At this point of operation, the associated extension 23 which faces to the left has been engaged to urge actuating portion 11 to its downwardl position. Thereupon cam surface 19C of one of sliders 15 has forced' movable contact supporting arm 17 to its open position to open normally closed contacts 18 and 20. Contacts 18 and 20, of course, control a circuit via their associated terminals 18a'` and 20a.

With rocker 31C in the position shown in full in Fig. 4, the knobs 43 of the other two rockers 31a and 31h would be in their neutral or central positions (as seen in Figs. l and 3). When either of these other two rockers 31a or 3111 is rotated toone of its actuating or olfcenter positions so as to depress one of its associated pushrods, one or more working surfaces 13 of the sliders acts upon portion 11 of the depressed pushrod 5 of Fig. 4 to force this pushrod and its associated lateral extension 23 outwardly. Rocker 31s` lwould thus be returned to its neutral position with its arms out of engagement with its associated extensions 23. At the same time, of course, other contacts are operated by the sliders. Alternately, if the rocker 31C is rotated from its position as Shown in full in Fig. 4, to its other actuating position (in a clockwise direction), this would also cause the depressed pushrod 5 to return to its outermost position due to the interlocking effect of the sliders.

To prevent undue joggling of rocker actuators 31 within bracket 25, while at the same time furnishing positive actuating or olf-center positions for each rocker, I have provided a detent spring 47 for controlling the movement of each rocker 31. Three notches 48 are formed in the upper part of each rocker bearing portion 41, and these notches cooperate with spring 47 to provide the positive control. As seen in Fig. 4, spring 4!" extends transversely between flanged side walls 39a and 39b of bracket 25 and it includes a centrally disposed projection 49 which extends downwardly to cooperate with detent notches 48 of each rocker. Upon the .rotation of the rockers, projection 48 of the spring alternately cooperates with the three detent notches 43 to provide three rocker positions. The center notch is for the rockers neutral or non-actuating position, and the other two notches are to hold the rocker in its alternate depressed positions wherein one or the other of the pushrods controlled by the rocker is actuated.

It will thus be seen that l have provided a simplified and economical rocker operating mechanism for actuating the pushrods of a multiple pushbutton switch, thc benefits of rocker-operated switching being achieved along with switch interlocking, in a low cost and compact switch structure.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a modied form of my invention wherein rocker 53 pivots about shaft 55. Shaft 55 is positioned outside of bracket base 57 and is supported by suitable upstanding flanges formed thereon. Rocker 53 has a V-shaped outer actuating portion 59, with a series of parallel gripping grooves 61 formed on the surface thereof. Arms 63 of rocker 53 depend downwardly through an opening in bracket base 57 and alternately engage oppositely disposed extensions 65 of associated pushrods in the same manner as has been described for rocker 31. The same detent arrangement (not shown) as provided with my aforementioned rocker 31 may also be effectively utilized. operationally, this modied form of my invention is identical to the arrangement initially described, providing rocker actuated control of the pushrods of a multiple pushbutton type switch which includes an interlocking mechanism.

It will be understood from the foregoing that my new and improved rocker-operated switches such as herein illustrated provide a simple and etlicient means for economically providing rocker-operated control of a multiple pushbutton switch. It should be realized that such rockers as I have disclosed my be used to control but one pair of pushrods of a multiple pushbutton switch, while the other pushrods m-ay operate in their normal pushbutton actuated capacity. Further, it may be preferable to utilize any number of combinations of rocker control and pushbutton control in a particular switch. It should therefore be realized that certain aspects of my invention may be incorporated efliciently and beneficially in other numerous and various types of pushbutton switch applications.

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have described what at present are considered to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may lbe made therein without departing from my invention, and I therefore aim in the following claims to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A rocker-operated electric switch comprising a multiple pushbutton type switch having a plurality of contacts, means including a plurality of parallel pushrods for operatingv said contacts, and an interlocking mechanism for preventing the simultaneous operation of any other pushrods when one pushrod is depressed; and means for operating said pushrods including a lateral extension formed on the outer end of each pushrod of at least one pair of adjacent pushrods, the extensions of said pair of pushrods extending in opposite directions and being coplanar when each pushrod of said pair is in its outermost position, and rocker means pivotally mounted above said extensions and engageable therewith or selectively depressing one or the other of the pushrods of said pair.

2. The switch of claim l wherein said rocker means includes a pivotally mounted bearing portion, a knob portion, and a pair of axially spaced switch operating arms, said arms being connected to said bearing portion and extending radially outwardly from said bearing portion with one of said arms overlying and engageable with each of said lateral extensions.

3. A rocker-operated electric switch comprising a multiple pushbutton type switch having a casing, a plurality of contacts, a plurality of parallel pushrods extending through an outer wall of said casing and arranged in sideby-side relation for operating said contacts, and an interlocking mechanism for preventing the simultaneous operation of any other pushrods when one of said pushrods is depressed; and means for operating said pushrods including a U-shaped mounting bracket for supporting said pushbutton switch, said bracket including an elongated base portion overlying the outer ends of said pushrods, a lateral extension formed on the outer end of each pushrod of at least one pair of adjacent pushrods, the exten sions of said pair of pushrods extending in opposite directions and being coplanar when each pushrod of said pair is in its outermost position, and rocker means pivotally supported by said bracket for selectively depressing one or the other of the pushrods of said pair, said rocker means arranged to pivot around an axis which overlies said pushrods and is spaced between the outer ends of said pair of pushrods and said base portion of said bracket.

4. The switch of claim 3 wherein said rocker means includes a pivotally mounted bearing portion, a knob portion extending outwardly from the base of said bracket, and a pair of axially spaced switch operating arms, said arms extending radially outwardly from said bearing portion and connected thereto inside of said bracket with one of said arms overlying each of said lateral extensions, a plurality of notches formed in said bearing portion, and a detent spring cooperating with said notches thereby to releasably retain said rocker means in its normal and actuated positions.

5. A rocker-operated electric switch comprising a multiple pushbutton type switch having a casing, a plurality of contacts, a plurality of parallel pushrods extending through an outer wall of said casing and arranged in sideby-side relation for operating said contacts, and an interlocking mechanism for preventing the simultaneous operation of any other pushrods when one of said pushrods is depressed; and means for operating said pushrods including a U-shaped mounting bracket for supporting said pushbutton switch, said bracket including an elongated base portion overlying the outer ends of said pushrods, a lateral extension formed on the outer end of each pushrod of at least one pair of adjacent pushrods, the extensions of said pair of pushrods extending in opposite directions and being coplanar when each pushrod of said pair is in its outermost position, and rocker means pivotally supported by said bracket for selectively depressing one or the other of the pushrods of said pair, said rocker means arranged to pivot around an axis which overlies said pushrods and is spaced outwardly from the base portion of said bracket.

6. The switch of claim 5 wherein said rocker means includes a pivotally mounted bearing portion, an outer knob portion mounted on the outside of the base of said bracket, said outer portion having a V-shaped actuating recess thereon, and a pair of axially spaced inner actuating portions, said actuating portions extending radially outwardly from said bearing portion and connected thereto outside of said bracket with one actuating portion overlying each of said lateral extensions, and a detent means cooperating with said rocker means thereby to releasably retain said rocker means in its normal and actuated positions.

No references cited. 

